Bikers and belly dancers, it was a very good night

[taterguy]

Remind me to tell you guys all about it when I wake up on Sunday

[taterguy]

1. Here's the tale . . .

I was tired of my usual haunts and ready for something new. I’ve got this friend that teaches belly dancing lessons. She said one of her buddies was in a blue grass band and they were playing at a bar I had never been to before for good reason. It’s a biker bar and even though I’m sure that bikers are fine people quite frankly they scare me. Maybe I took Hunter S. Thompson’s book Hells Angels a little too seriously. Maybe I was traumatized by that Altamont movie.

Would the bikers be able to tell that I didn’t really fit in and would they care? Would my gaze linger too long on someone? I didn’t know but figured what the fuck, you only live once. Besides, I had always wondered what Ronnie was singing about in that Skynyrd song Gimmee Three Steps.

So a bit after 9 last night I found myself at the Lone Wolf. It’s at the southwestern edge of my town, close to people who work the land, or do a good job of pretending that they do. A nice spacious place to be manly: pinball machines, pool tables and wall-to-wall NASCAR paraphernalia. I’ve only felt more out of place at a bar one time: When I visited the Pontiac Michigan chapter of the SAAPs. (Society of Afro-American Police). Since I’m a white Souterner who’s not a cop I felt quite conspicuous there.

I found the belly dancing crowd: they were the ones without baseball caps on and they weren’t smoking. They cheered lustily for their pal and did some mutant jigs / belly dances on the floor. It was quite the cross-cultural scene. We stayed about three hours.

Despite my constant state of paranoia I ended up really enjoying myself. No pool cues were used in anger. It was a far cry from the pasty faced music hipster joints I usually find myself in. In fact, people were damned friendly. They probably didn’t give Kerry many votes but what the hell. I wasn’t there to engage in political dialogue. The important thing is that the service was extraordinary. The bartender was attentive and quick. The beers were some of the coldest I’ve ever had.

So that’s the tale. It could probably use some polishing but I’m gonna go ahead and post it. Hope you enjoyed it.

[libnnc]

2. You should come to Swaim's on Acadia

Frequented by Washington Park neighbors and School of the Arts faculty. They have an excellent selection of micro brews (no tap, only bottles), $1.50 Old Milwaukee, .25 pinball, free foosball, free peanuts, and a patio. You'd love it. Non smoking and pet friendly too.

edit to add: it's a few blocks from the house so it's eco friendly...I always walk there and back. ;-)

[taterguy]

3. Swaims is a fine place, just not quite within walking distance for me

At least after I've been there a while enjoying some of its very refreshing products.